A Young Academic in His First Conference

My first
600 plus
How many holly
monsters?
Young walking among
the old
Young walking among
the older.

So many
converging at one point
for a time in space
our discipline like a
Volcano
Birth is the act of
Eruption

Round the table
We commune
Divine intervention
Academic invention
Knowledge of the ineffable.

The bonds form
Were formed
Will form
It is here that we built
Tower of Babel…
But also compassion,
Understanding,
Perceptions.

Presidents come and go
Awards
Burdens of a dinner
Anxiously eaten
But in the end
The smile
The talk that was
Deserved
Remains.

For that, I am present
For that, I am here
For what remains
Beyond snow,
Stone and fire…

Let us in this journey
Join hands,
Let us contemplate upon
Contribution,
How I become you
And you me
And together that
Which is known.

Discovery, dissemination,
Imagination
All for a dream
Worth a penny…
That of a world...